If you have organizational skill sets and enjoy working with people, a job in the pharmaceutical industry may be your next career opportunity. Are you thinking to become a pharmacy technician? Pursuing a career as a pharmacy tech could be a good fit for someone who values close patient interaction and wants to make a positive impact.
Becoming a pharmacy technician is really a rewarding career path for those who appreciate assisting others, supporting coworkers, and making a difference in people’s lives.
As per the report of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of pharmacy technicians will rise by 6% by 2032. So there is no doubt this is one of the best medical career choices for you.
Today, in this blog, you’ll learn more about what pharmacy technicians do and how to become one. This guide provides information on becoming a pharmacy technician by answering many questions about this occupation.
Let’s read on.
Diverse Pharmacy Technician Jobs
Are you interested in Pharmacy technician jobs? Consider becoming a pharmacy technician. The field is diverse and offers plenty of chances. You must be familiar with the many job titles in this field if you intend to pursue it as a profession.
Retail pharmacy technician
Assisting pharmacists with medication delivery, patient education on prescription-appropriate usage, and inventory management are all part of a retail pharmacy technician’s job description. Your knowledge and skill guarantee clients get the medication they require to maintain good health and control chronic diseases.
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Hospital and health system
Proper medicine and patient care are your responsibilities as a pharmacy technician at hospitals and health systems. Nurses and chemists can give patients more precise and efficient care with their pharmacy operations and medication management knowledge.
Inventory management, medication regimens, and patient reaction monitoring need careful attention to aspects and excellent organizational abilities.
Long-term care or assisted living
You play a crucial role in the health and safety of residents as a pharmacy technician who focuses on assisted living and long-term care institutions. You have the important task of checking prescriptions, measuring drug doses, and keeping meticulous records.
You must treat your task with the greatest seriousness and professionalism because it directly affects the well-being and standard of living of the people you care for.
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Compounding
The unsung heroes of the medical field are compounding pharmacy technicians. Behind the scenes, these experts craft unique drug regimens for individuals with special medical requirements. Accuracy, thoroughness, and knowledge of the science of pharmacology are essential for their job.
Nuclear
As a nuclear pharmacy technician, your duties will include preparing, testing, and verifying the potency and purity of radiopharmaceuticals and other radioactive medications.
Being a nurse is a huge job, but the satisfaction of helping patients get the finest treatment possible makes it all worthwhile. Adhering to stringent protocols and safety measures is essential for success in this sector.
Career as a Pharmacy Technician
The responsibilities and role of pharmacy technicians could vary depending on whether they work in a hospital or a retail store. For instance, pharmacy technicians can transport patients’ medications within healthcare institutions.
Working in a healthcare facility other than a hospital or long-term care facility may change this position. If you like retail, you can work at a supermarket, department shop, corporate pharmacy, or other retailer.
Pharmacy technicians can work outside hospitals and pharmacies. Your options include a pharmaceutical company, college, mail-order pharmacy, research institution, or health insurance provider. Those who like working from home may also locate jobs online.
Certification, coursework, on-the-job training, or a degree can improve your skills. Pharmacy technicians can handle compounding, immunizations, chemotherapy, HIV treatment, sterile products, and automated pharmaceutical distribution.
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Different Pharmacy Technician Programs
This article will provide information about the national certification exam and the many study programs available to those who want to become physical therapists.
Program Certificate or Diploma
Those who complete a certificate or diploma program are more marketable to employers in the healthcare industry and other related fields. This program will set you up for success as a pharmacy technician by providing the practical training you need.
The program is designed to supplement traditional academic curricula focusing on valuable skills and runs from nine months to a full year. The certification tests are likewise within the graduates’ comfort zones.
Before enrolling in the programs, whether on campus or online, prospective students should confirm that they are externship partners and that the program has American Health Systems accreditations.
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Associate Degree
In contrast to shorter programs like a certificate or board certification, an associate degree requires 24 months of full-time study and offers a well-rounded education. It is not necessary to become a PT. Still, it helps individuals who want to advance to positions like pharmacy implementation specialist, compounding lab technician, or pharmacy service technician.
Furthermore, the associate program’s accreditation by the leading Health Systems makes it a viable option for those wishing to return to school. They can transfer their credits to an undergraduate program, saving time and money since they have already completed two years of coursework.
Education Requirements to Become a Pharmacy Technician
Becoming a pharmacy technician is within your reach if you have the correct attitude and work ethic. Here discuss the education requirements to become a pharmacy technician:
Graduation from high school
A high school diploma or its international equivalent (such as the General Equivalency Diploma) is required to work as a pharmacy technician. If you want to become a pharmacy technician but have yet to graduate, their online high school program can help. In addition, they have a healthcare pathway that you can use to get a feel for the field while you get your diploma.
Pharmacy technician certification from a recognized institution
A high school graduation will get you some work as a pharmacy technician, but most companies would rather have someone with more education and certification. Many states also require a certificate or a license.
The online pharmacy technician program is one example of a recognized institution that offers a pathway to certification. When you finish the program, you will be ready for taking Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) given by the PTCB and the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT) provided by the NHA, two of the most prestigious in the field.
Complete an internship
Applying for jobs after completing an externship could be easier. A proud partner of the Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program in providing internships to students enrolled.
Pass either the PTCT or the ExCPT exam
Certification is highly desirable and even mandated in some areas to work as a pharmacy technician. To sit for the PTCE certification exam, complete formal training through a PTCB-recognized Education/pharmacy technician training Program or get equivalent job experience.
Alternatively, you can get your certification by taking the NHA’s ExCPT exam; to be eligible, you must have either finished a pharmacy technician program within the last five years or worked as a technician for at least a year with 1,200 hours of supervised experience.
Pharmacy Technician Training & Certifications
If you want to work with drugs, become a pharmacy technician. These workers help pharmacies succeed by distributing drugs, managing inventory, and delivering excellent customer service.
Pharmacy technicians can pursue formal online, community, and vocational school training. These courses address pharmacological calculations, pharmaceutical interactions, pharmacy ethics, and law. Common curriculum components like internships and externships allow students to apply their theoretical knowledge in pharmacy.
Certification displays pharmacy technicians’ dedication and skill. Famous organizations like the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) provide certification tests for chemists.
Companies prefer trained pharmacy technicians because of their expertise and commitment to patient care. Pharmacy technicians must continue their education due to changing pharmaceutical and healthcare regulations.
Benefits of Becoming a Pharmacy Technician
A career as a pharm tech is typical of the many rewarding options available in the healthcare industry. So, you can be sure this is the right profession for you.
Employment Stability and Rising Demand
The need for qualified pharmacy technicians is rising with the healthcare industry’s expansion. The United States Bureau of Labour Statistics plans a faster-than-average 4% growth in the employment of pharmacy technicians from 2019 to 2029. This has increased speed following the COVID-19 pandemic’s effects on the labour market and healthcare systems. If you want a job where your abilities will always be in demand, becoming a licenced pharmacy technician is the way to go.
Potential for Earnings Growth
In most cases, certified pharmacy technicians can expect to earn more than their non-certified colleagues. Earning pharmacy technician certifications shows that you have studied and mastered the material, which increases your marketability to potential employers. Certified pharmacy technicians could anticipate improved benefits and greater salaries in the future.
Wide Job Opportunities
After certification, you can work in retail pharmacies, hospitals, long-term care facilities, mail-order pharmacies, and other healthcare settings. Nuclear pharmacy, pharmacological therapy management, and compounding are employment options for licenced pharmacy technicians.
Field Reputation
Becoming a “certified pharmacy technician” indicates that you’re dedicated to learning and mastering your area. It proves your expertise to future employers, coworkers, and patients, making you a trustworthy industry expert.
Potential Progress
Certified pharmacy technicians have a better chance of advancing because certification leads to lead pharmacy technician and pharmacy management positions. Certified pharmacy technicians can teach, sell pharmaceuticals, or practise pharmacy after graduation.
Heightened Satisfaction
Since their knowledge and abilities lead to improved patient outcomes, certified pharmacy technicians generally report higher levels of job satisfaction. They significantly influence patients’ lives by guaranteeing the proper and efficient administration of medications.
Key Takeaways
There are many things you can do after becoming a pharmacy worker. There are lots of different places you could work and jobs you could do. Most of the time, the pay is good, and the work is fun. Yes, becoming a pharmacy technician is more complex. You’ll have to put in a lot of work to reach your goal. But in return, you’ll get a good job that will help you learn new things and advance in healthcare.
The American Institute of Healthcare & Technology (AIHT) is a medical school that offers pharmacy technician training program to students to grow their careers in the medical field.
AIHT Education in Connecticut is fully committed to offering the optimum education to students working on their careers in the health sciences subjects. The programs of the intitute provide opportunities for students to study valued skill sets and get personalized attention from faculties.
Students opt AIHT for a high quality and affordable educational experience that guides you for success in your domian. So, it would be great if you start your career at AIHT Education.
FAQs
Q1) How do you become a pharmacy technician in Connecticut?
Candidates need a GED or high school diploma, and a rigorous criminal background check is required. Candidates must apply and pay $100 to the state treasurer; PTCB candidates must study and pass.
Q2) What are the requirements to become a pharmacy technician?
For the PTCB exam, you need a high school diploma. National Health Career Association certification is another option. NHA requires students to complete a training program or have one year of pharmacy technician experience.
Q3) How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician?
A pharmacy technician program takes five months to 2 years, depending on how much you study for the certification exam and how long it takes to get a job.
Q4) Do you need a degree to be a pharmacy technician?
Becoming a pharmacy technician does not necessitate a degree, but certain employers and states may require certification.
Q5) How do you work as a pharmacy technician in Connecticut?
CT pharmacy technicians need a high school diploma or equivalent. Earn a pharmacy technician degree or similar experience. Register and pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam with the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. Fill out pharmacy or hospital applications.
Q6) What do pharmacy technicians do?
A pharmacist and pharmacy technician collaborate to keep patients healthy and safe. They find, dispense, pack, and label a patient’s medication, which a chemist verifies before issuing.
Q7) Where do pharmacy technicians work?
Hospital centres, Retail stores, and nursing homes employ pharmacy technicians. They stand much of the day filling and packaging prescriptions and collaborating with chemists and other health care professionals.
